Rocker clip for connecting switch rods to switch points



Jan. 10, 1956 G. ARNOLD ET AL 0,

ROCKER CLIP FOR CONNECTING SWITCH RODS TO SWITCH POINTS Filed Sept. 29, 1950 INVENTORS Game flxP/vmo y flA/F/PXI- 50/0472 United States Patent ROCKER CLIP FOR CONNECTING SWITCH RODS TO SWITCH POINTS George Arnold, Shaker Heights, and Harry A. Schultz, Garfield Heights, Ohio, assignors to Cleveland Frog 8.; Crossing Co., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 29, 1950, Serial No. 187,536

13 Claims. (Cl. 246-452) of a railway switch, which means includes a novel and improved member or clip which is in the form of a onepiece casting or forging having a surface rockably engaging the switch point thereby permitting different angular positions of the rod relative to the switch point without the need of pivot pins or the creation of high stresses in the parts, the member or clip being at all times held in firm resilient engagement With the switch point under a predetermined pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide connecting means as defined in the preceding paragraph having a minimum of parts and in which the said member or clip is more firmly secured to the switch rod than has been heretofore possible.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved connecting means for securing a connecting member or clip to a switch rod so that the member or clip is clamped to the rod by forces exerted on the sides of the latter in addition to the force exerted by the means directly securing the rod of the clip.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved connecting means as defined in the preceding paragraph and in which improved means are provided for resiliently connecting the rockable surface of the said member or clip to the switch point.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved switch connecting member or clip comprising a one-piece casting or forging which is provided with an arcuate surface forrockably engaging a switch point and an integral portion having improved means for clamping the clip to a switch rod.

The invention further resides in certain novel features of construction and combination and arrangements of parts, and further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent to those skilled-in the art to which the invention pertains from the following description of the present preferred embodiment described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which identical parts in the several views are designated by the same reference characters, and in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevationalview of the improved connecting means ofthis invention'illustrating the latter as securing a switch'rod to a switch point, the adjacent rail being shown in section and the' supporting tie being omitted;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the connecting member or clip shown=in Fig. 1 with a portion of the switch rod connected theretob'eing shown in section and the accompanying rail and-switch point omitted;

Fig. 3 isa plan view of the structure shown inFig. 1 with the rail omitted anda portion of the clip and switch point broken away, tomore; clearly illustrate the connections;

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Fig. 4 is a detached elevational view of the improved wedge or clamping means forming a part of the novel con nection; and

Fig. 5 is an end view of the clamping or wedge means shown in Fig. 4.

The connection of a switch rod to a switch point must provide for some relative movement in an arcuate direction between these members in order to prevent excessive strains and distortions. The older forms of such connections have heretofore employed pivot pin and/or socket type connections. These are, however, objectionable because of the number of parts required, the effects of wear, possible breakage of the parts, and similar difficulties. In order to overcome such difiiculties, it has been proposed heretofore to employ a one-piece switch connecting member or clip having a curved surface which bears against the switch point and enables the member or clip to take different angular positions relative to the point when the switch rod is moved. Connecting means of this type have been disclosed in U. S. Patent 2,512,131 issued on June 20, 1950, to Arnold et al. and are commonly known as rocker clips. The present invention relates to connecting means or clips of the general nature disclosed in the aforementioned patent and embodies certain improvements thereover.

in accordance with this invention each switch point of a railway switch is connected to its operating rod by similar clip means and hence only one such clip and its connections to the cooperating switch point and rod is here illustrated, it being understood that the connections to the other switch point and/ or the connection between the switch points and the connecting or tie rods will be similarly efiected.

In Fig. 1, there is shown a conventional railroad rail 10 which is supported upon ties and ballast in the conventional manner not shown. Cooperating with the rail 10 is a switch point 11 adapted to be moved to and from engagement with the rail by means of a switch operating rod 12. In order to effect this movement the rod 12 and the switch point 11 are interconnected by the improved connecting means of this invention.

The aforementioned connecting means comprises a onepiece member or clip provided in the form of an integral casting or forging, generally designated 13, which has one portion 14 thereof adapted to extend longitudinally with respect to a portion of the switch point 11 and has an arcuate surface 15 of large radius adjacent the said switch point, the axis of such surface being substantially vertical. The portion 14 of the clip 13 is provided with spaced openings adjacent the ends thereof within which are disposed flanged sleeves to, there being a clearance between the openings and the said sleeves.

The inner ends of the sleeves 16 firmly engage the switch point, or a reenforcing member 17 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, so that there is a solid metal-to-metal contact between the sleeves to and the switch point 11. A similar reenforcing member if is provided on the other side of the switch point 11 and bolts 19 pass through aligned openings in the said switch point and reenforcing members and through the sleeve members 16, The threaded outer ends of the bolts 19 are provided with nuts 2-3 which are screwed into him engagement with the flanges 21 of the sleeves in so that a solid metal-to-metal contact is provided from the switch point through the sleeves 16 to the nuts 26. The nuts may be held from displacement by any suitable means which, in the illustrated embodiment, comprise cotter pins 22 extending through openings in the bolts 19 adjacent the outer faces of the nuts.

Compression springs 23 are provided intermediate the flanges 21 of the sleeves l6 and the adjacent face of the portion 14 of the clip 13 with the springs surrounding the sleeves. The length of the sleeves 16 is so selected that the springs 23 will be under a predetermined compression when the inner ends of the sleeves 16 engage the switch point or the reenforcing member 17. Consequently, the rocking surface 15 of the clip 13 is held firmly in engage ment with the switch point 11 while permitting rocking movement therebetween. In the event one or more of the springs 23 should break the connection between the switch point and the clip is not however lost since the bolts 19 and the flanges 21 will still permit complete operation of the switch point although with a slight lost motion.

Integral with the aforementioned portion 14 of the clip 13 is a second portion 24 having a substantially channelshaped opening extending longitudinally therethrough and transversely with respect to the portion 14, the portions 14 and 24 being disposed at different elevations and connected by an integral web 25. The channel-shaped opening in the member 24 is adapted to laterally receive the switch rod 12 and clamp the latter therein. For this purpose the opening in the member 24 is larger than the dimensions of the switch rod 12 and the side walls of the channel-shaped opening are inclined as indicated at 26 and 27 in Fig. 2, thereby providing camming surfaces for effecting a clamping action upon opposed surfaces of the switch rod 12 as hereinafter described.

As shown in Figs. 2, 4 and of the drawing, the improved connection comprises, in addition to the integral casting or forging 13, a clamping or wedging member, generally designated 28, which is adapted to be inserted in the opening of the portion 24 of the member 13 and engage the switch rod 12 on opposite sides thereof. For this purpose, the member 28 has a generally channel configuration and comprises a web-like portion 29 and outwardly extending flange portions such as 30 and 31, here shown in two separate pairs on each of the longitudinal edges of the member. It will be evident however that the flanges 30 and 31 could be formed with a greater number of discrete portions or could each be made as a single integral flange along the said edges. The internal surfaces of the portions such as 30, 31 together with the internal surface of the web 29 have configurations preferably substantially conforming With that of the switch rod and of a size to substantially fit thereabout. The outer surfaces of the portions 30 and 31 are inclined complementary to the inclined surfaces 26 and 27 and cooperate therewith to provide a wedging action, as will be hereinafter apparent.

The part or portion 24 of the clip 13 has a plurality of bolt openings therethrough and the web 29 of the wedge or clamping member 28 has cooperating bolt openings such as 32, these openings corresponding in number and location with the openings through the switch rod 12 for effecting a connection thereto.

The novel connecting member or clip 13 is assembled with the switch rod 12 in the manner shown in Fig. 2. That is to say, the switch rod is disposed within the opening of the wedge or clamping member 28 and the latter is disposed within the channel-shaped opening of the portion 24 of the clip 13, the inclined surfaces 30, 31 of the wedge member and the inclined surfaces 26, 27 of the opening of the portion 24 being in engagement. Bolts such as 33 are then passed through the aligned openings in the clip 13, the clamping member 28 and switch rod 12. Lock washers 34 are then preferably provided adjacent the outer surface of the switch rod and clamping nuts 35' are applied thereto, the nuts 35 being rundown so as to force the wedging or clamping member 28 and switch rod 12 into the opening of the portion 24 of the clip. This causes the camming surfaces 26, 27 to deflect or deform the flange portions 36, 31 of the wedge member 28 inwardly, thus firmly gripping or clamping the opposed surfaces of the switch rod so that the latter is held with a clamping force at the sides thereof as well as by the force directly exerted by means of the bolts 33. Hence, the

" ing action.

ireferably the casting or forging comprising the clip 13 is provided with strengthening ribs as shown and these will preferably include spaced projections such as 37, 38 which cooperate with the polygonal heads 39 of the bolts 33 to prevent rotation of the latter.

It is believed that the mode of construction of the improved connecting means and the manner in which it secures a switch rod to a switch point will now be readily apparent. It need only be noted in addition that the device, constructed and connected as shown, enables a longitudinal movement of the switch rod to effect movement of the switch point without binding or development of excessive stresses since the arcuate surface 15 of the clip allows the latter to rock upon the switch point. Moreover, this rocking is effected without the necessity of separate moving parts, pivot pins, or the like. Furthermore, by virtue of the manner in which the sleeves 16 and springs 23 are disposed, the clip is held in engagement with the switch point under a predetermined force which does not vary with use. Consequently, age does not cause increased looseness in the connection. Moreover, even if the springs 23 should break, the switch may be operated since the bolt heads 19 and sleeve flanges 21 provide for a positive metal-to-metal engagement from the switch rod to the switch point. In such a case however there will, of course, be a slight lost movement. Finally, in accordance with this invention, the usual forces tending to loosen or injure the bolts and nuts 33 and 35, connecting the clip to the switch rod, have been greatly reduced by virtue of the novel connection between the clip and the switch rod so that these parts are now held together by the force transmitted through the clamping or wedging member 23 to the opposed sides of the switch rod as well as by the forces directly exerted by the bolts 33.

While the preferred construction discloses the channelshaped opening in the clip as atone side thereof, it will be apparent that, if desired, the clip could be made with the said opening rotated and facing downwardly rather than laterally as shown. Moreover, While the clip has been shown as being formed integrally, it will be apparent that the latter may be constructed from two or more pieces rigidly secured together. Moreover, while the improved connection of the switch rod 12 to the member secured to the switch point has been specifically disclosed in conjunction with a clip or member 13 having a rockable engagement with the switch point, it is also within the purview of this invention to employ the improved clamping means for securing switch rods to members having pivoted or other type connections with a switch point. These and other modifications will readily be suggested to those skilled in the art after having had the advantage of this disclosure and hence this description and the accompanying drawing are intended as illustrations only of the present preferred embodiment and not as limitations upon the invention.

Having thus described the invention, we claim:

1. Means for connecting a switch rod to a switch point comprising a member having a portion secured to the switch rod and another portion rigidly connected to the first portion, said other portion having an arcuate surface rockably bearing upon a surface of the switch point and provided with spaced openings therethrough, means rigidly connected to said switch point and extending through said openings with a clearance, and resilient means between a portion of said connecting means and the said second portion of said member on the side thereof opposite that engaging said switch point.

2. Means for connepting a switch rod, to a switch point comprising a member having a first portion secured; tov the switch rod and a second portion rigidly connected to. the first portion, said second portion having an arcuate surface rockably bearing upon a surface of the switch point and provided with spaced openings therethrough, a separate sleeve extending intoeach of said openings with a clearance and with one end engaging said switch point, resilient means surrounding each of said sleeves and bearing against the side of the second portion of said member opposite the said switch point, and means rigidly connecting the said sleeves to the switch point and preventing displacement of the outer end of the said resilient means relative to the switch point.

3. Means for connecting a switch rod to a switch point comprising a member having a portion secured to the switch rod and another portion rigidly connected to the first portion, said other portion having an arcuate surface rockably bearing upon a surface of the switch point and provided with spaced openings therethrough a separate sleeve extending into each of said openings with a clearance and each having an external flange in spaced relationship to said second portion of said member, securing means extending through each sleeve and an aligned opening in said switch point rigidly securing the said sleeves to said point, and separate resilient means between the flanges of each of said sleeves and the said second portion of said member.

4. Means for connecting a switch rod to a switch point comprising a member having a portion secured to the switch rod and another portion rigidly connected to the first portion, said other portion having an arcuate surface rockably bearing upon a surface of the switch point and provided with spaced openings therethrough a separate sleeve extending into each of said openings with a clearance and each having an external flange in spaced relationship to the second portion of said member, a bolt extending through each sleeve and an aligned opening in said switch point, a nut on each bolt firmly engaging the corresponding sleeve thereby rigidly securing the said sleeves to said switch point, and a compression spring between the flange of each of said sleeves and the said second portion of said member.

5. Means for connecting a switch rod to a switch point comprising a member having a portion provided with an arcuate surface adapted to rockably engage a portion of the switch point, means resiliently holding said surface in engagement with the said switch point, a second portion of said member rigidly connected to the first portion and having a channel-like recess therein adapted to receive the switch rod, and means securing the switch rod in said recess including bolt means extending through said member and rod and means exerting clamping forces on opposed surfaces of said switch rod substantially at right angles to said bolt means as the result of tightening the latter.

6. Means for connecting a switch rod to a switch point comprising a member having a first portion provided with an arcuate surface adapted to rockably engage a portion of the switch point, means resiliently holding said surface in engagement with the said switch point, a second portion of said member rigidly connected to the first portion and having a recess therein adapted to receive the switch rod with a clearance, the said recess having opposed surfaces inclined with respect to each other, a wedge means fitting in said recess and engaging opposite sides of said switch rod, the said wedge means including surfaces complementary with and engaging the said inclined surfaces of said recess, and means securing said switch rod within the said recess with the said wedge means between the rod and the surfaces of said recess so that the switch rod is firmly gripped on opposed surfaces thereof as the result of the force exerted by said securing means.

7. Means for connecting a switch rod to a switch point comprising a member having a portion provided with an arcuate surface adap ed. to. reekab y n age a. P rtion. of the switch point, means resiliently holding said surface in engagement with the said switch point, a second, portion of said member rigidly connected to the first portion and having a channel-like recess therein adapted to laterally receive a switch rod with a clearance, the less of, saidchan nel-like recess having inclined. Surfaces, a clamping mem ber fitting in said recess and: including flanges adapted tov engage opposed surfaces of the switch rod, and bolt means. passing through the part of the said second portion intermediate the said inclined surfaces and through the said clamping member and switchv rod, whereby the flanges of said clamping member exert clamping forces. on oppose surfaces of the switch rod as a result of the force exerted by said bolt means.

8. The combination as defined in claim 7 and wherein the said clamping member is of one-piecew construction with the said flanges interconnected by a web portion, the said flanges having their external surfaces inclined and cooperating with the inclined surfaces of said recess so as to be deformed relative to said web portion and thereby produce the said clamping forces on the switch rod.

9. Means for connecting a switch rod to a switch point comprising a member having a first portion provided with an arcuate surface adapted to rockably engage a portion of the switch point and having spaced openings therethrough, sleeve means extending through each of said openings with a clearance and each having an external flange in spaced relation to said member, securing means extending through each sleeve rigidly securing the latter to said point, resilient means between the flanges of said sleeves and the said member resiliently holding the said arcuate surface in engagement with the switch point, a second portion of said member rigidly connected to the first portion and having a recess therein adapted to receive the switch rod with a clearance, and means securing the switch rod in said recess including cooperating inclined surfaces exerting clamping forces on opposed surfaces of said switch rod.

10. A member for connecting a switch rod to a switch point comprising an integral casting or forging including a first portion having an arcuate surface adapted to rockably engage the switch point with the axis of said arcuate surface extending vertically, said casting having a second portion provided with a channel-shaped recess extending transversely with respect to the said arcuate surface, said channel-shaped recess having opposed sides thereof provided with outwardly diverging surfaces for cooperation with cooperating inclined surfaces to provide a clamping action upon a switch rod positioned therein, said casting having spaced openings through the first and second men tioned portions adapted to receive fastening means for securing the casting to the switch point and switch rod respectively.

11. A member for connecting a switch rod to a switch point comprising an integral casting or forging including a first portion having an arcuate surface adapted to rockably engage the switch point with the axis of said arcuate surface extending vertically, said casting having a second portion connected with said first portion by a web, the said second portion having a channel-shaped recess extending transversely with respect to the said arcuate sur face and below the latter, said channel-shaped recess having opposed sides thereof provided with outwardly diverging surfaces for cooperation with cooperating inclined surfaces to provide a clamping action upon a switch rod positioned therein, said casting also having spaced openings through the first and second mentioned portions adapted to receive fastening means for securing the casting to the switch point and switch rod respectively.

12. Means for connecting a switch rod to a switch point comprising a member having a recess therein adapted to receive the switch rod with a clearance, the said recess having opposed surfaces inclined with respect to each other, wedge means fitting in said recess with portions engaging opposite sides of said switch rod, the said por tions of the wedge means including surfaces complementary with and engaging the inclined surfaces of said recess, means securing the said switch rod within said recess with the said wedge means between the rod and the member so that the said inclined surfaces on the latter cooperate with the complementary surfaces on the wedge means causing the said portions thereof to firmly grip the switch rod on opposed surfaces thereof, and means connecting the said member to the switch point in a manner permitting limited arcuate movement between said point and rod.

13. Means for connecting a switch rod to a switch point comprising a member having a portion provided with an arcuate surface adapted to rockably engage a portion of the switch point, means resiliently holding said surface in engagement with the switch point, a second portion of said member rigidly connected to the first portion and having a recess therein adapted to receive the switch rod, means securing the switch rod in said recess, and an element embracing said rod and interposed between the walls of said recess and said rod, said recess and said element having cooperating inclined surfaces exerting clamping forces on opposed surfaces of the switch rod in directions substantially at right angles to the direction of action of the securing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 543,077 Besser July 23, 1895 928,931 Blish et a1 July 27, 1909 1,195,382 Mock Aug. 22, 1916 1,470,226 Kelloway Oct. 9, 1923 FOREIGN PATENTS 345,786 Great Britain Apr. 2, 1931 401,852 Great Britain 2. Nov. 23, 1933 

